So the gigging year is almost over for me and I am looking forward to spending the next few months concentrating on writing new material.  I was planning on recording this summer but with the new band line up I have decided to leave it until after we return from playing a big French festival next spring.

Only one more gig is left for me to play this year, at Ain't Nothin But in Soho, London and I am looking forward to that, its always a nice gig to do with a great vibe there.

Believe it or not, I have been working on the next album since just before Butterflies was released.  I am writing masses of new material and pushing my music in new directions.  I am back in the studio in June/July recording some rock songs, the acoustic songs are coming along nicely too.  Songwriting is very much my focus and writing over a cross section of feels and genres is so liberating.  As ever, I am loving every minute of what I do. 

Well, today's the day I offically release the new album Butterflies.  The feedback so far on the album has been very positive, you can see some of the comments on my home page.  You can order your copy here.  I look forward to playing these songs live for you somewhere soon.  Next on the gig list is a date in Norwich followed by a gig in Belgium at the 61, in Lixhe which is a special place for me as I have been made patron of the venue.

I am delighted to say that you can now pre-order copies of my new album 'Butterflies' which is out on the 1st April.  I am really looking forward to hearing what you all think of it!  With the new album I have a new website to celebrate.  You can pre-order your copy of the new album here

Its been so much fun, and a lot of work, but the music for the third album is now all recorded and being mixed as I type.  To me it sounds fabulous, its very different from what I have done before and is a real 'concept' album.  It will only be available as a physical CD, the whole thing is so 'real' to me that to offer it as MP3 downloads would feel all wrong.  This album is very personal, very honest and, for me at least, very special.  I have wanted to record this album for many years and now it is done I am so happy I have done it.

The title of the album and a few unusual details about it will be revealed in the New Year, the exact release date has not been set but I'm on course for a spring release.

I bought all the recording gear and worked out how to use it, which I have to admit took me a while even though I have recorded in studios the fine art of placing microphones was a challenge to me to start with.

None-the-less, I got it all sorted, turned the lights down very low, put on my headphones (super expensive, I didn't know they could cost so much!) and settled down to record the first track.  I am only doing a little a day so I don't feel any pressure.  The first track is all done and I sent it over to Martin (who's mastering it) to get his opinion.  I was very relieved when he said I'd done a decent job of the recording.  The song, sounds fabulous, very natural and exactly what I had in mind.  I'm doing no editing, no autotune, no studio wizzardry, just natural, pure music.

I'm now halfway through recording the second track.  At this speed, I anticipate it being out in the spring next year. I am taking my time, recording when I feel most musical and so far, this is the most interesting, and maybe best, album I have ever recorded.  Its very different from the last ones so I'll be interested to see whether other people agree with me.  

Phew, the last few months have been a whirlwind.  I have moved back to the UK now with my family.  

I am taking time off from the road (not completely but playing live a lot less in coming months) to focus on a new album.  I am recording a totally acoustic album and, I am recording it all at my home (or at least that is the plan.)  I am very excited about this album, maybe more so than about any other recording project because, for me, this is very freeing.  I'm not a huge fan of being in the recording studio, I find them sterile, pressured and basically a bit stressy. So, to be able to record as and when it feels right, in my own time and at my own pace is very exciting.  The music is very different too, very pretty acoustic tracks.  So far I have recorded one track to see how it comes out, I will have to do it again as first time is going to be full of technical mistakes, but even so, I think it is the best song I have ever recorded.  I hope to produce an album that is truely beautiful and have a great time doing it.  Watch this space to see if I manage!